Sun Aug 7, 2011 6:8AM GMT
Somali Transitional Federal Government forces
At least 28 hungry Somali civilians have been killed after official Transitional Federal Government forces opened fire on them as both sides made a grab for food at a UN distribution site in Mogadishu.
The chaos turned deadly on Friday after government soldiers tried to steal some of the 290 tons of corn rations as aid workers tried to hand them out in the Somali capital's Badbado camp for famine refugees, a Press TV correspondent in Mogadishu reported on Saturday.
Refugees then joined in the scramble, prompting soldiers to open fire, according to the witnesses.
Eleven people died at the scene and 30 others were wounded, 17 of whom later succumbed to their injuries.
"It was carnage. They ruthlessly shot everyone," said Abdi Awale Nor, who lives at the camp. "Even dead bodies were left on the ground and other wounded bled to death."
On Wednesday, the United Nations declared three new regions in Somalia famine zones, bringing the total number of affected regions to five.
The United Nations estimates that 3.2 million Somalis are in need of immediate lifesaving assistance.
MP/HRF/MSH/MB
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